Sensor-based ore sorting is increasingly being incorporated into mine and processing plant designs as operators seek to remove waste before material reaches energy-intensive grinding and beneficiation circuits. A major development came in August, when TOMRA Mining was selected to supply 22 X-ray transmission sorters for the proposed P2000 expansion at Pilgangoora in Western Australia.
The lithium operation already has 10 sorters in service, with the existing installation capable of processing more than 1,000 tonnes per hour. The planned expansion would increase the importance of sorting within the site’s processing strategy.
Pilgangoora expands sensor-based sorting capacity
Ore rejected before milling does not enter the grinding circuit and therefore does not consume grinding power, flotation capacity or reagents, while also reducing the volume requiring tailings storage. At Pilgangoora, the existing sorting system has been associated with estimated electricity savings of approximately 8-15 GWh per year. The potential processing benefits become increasingly relevant as ore grades decline. Rather than relying solely on larger processing volumes to maintain metal production, pre-concentration can improve the quality of feed entering the plant.
Technology extends beyond lithium
Lithium pegmatites can provide contrasts between spodumene-bearing ore and barren material, creating opportunities for sensor-based separation. Similar sorting technology is also being tested across copper, tungsten, tin, gold and polymetallic operations, extending its potential application beyond lithium processing.
The effectiveness of sorting remains dependent on geological characteristics and sensor performance. The technology must reliably distinguish ore from waste while operating at industrial throughput, making representative bulk testing an important part of evaluation.
Sorting enters mine development planning
The Pilgangoora installation illustrates how ore sorting is being considered within broader processing strategies rather than solely as an environmental measure. By removing waste before milling, the technology can reduce the quantity of material requiring processing and potentially affect the scale of processing infrastructure required. This gives ore sorting a broader role in mine development and feasibility studies, particularly where operators face declining grades and increasing volumes of material that must otherwise pass through conventional processing circuits.
